Overview

Holy Week (Latin: Hebdomas Sancta or Hebdomas Maior; Greek: Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς) is the liturgical period that recalls the last week of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, culminating in his resurrection at Easter. It is observed during the final week of Lent and begins with Palm Sunday, moving through a sequence of commemorations that many Christians regard as the high point of the church year.

Key days and structure

The week centers on the Paschal Triduum (the three days that commemorate the Passion):

  • Palm Sunday – marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and often includes blessing and procession with palms.
  • Maundy Thursday – recalls the Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist and, in some traditions, the washing of feet.
  • Good Friday – a day of solemn remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion, often marked by veneration of the cross and special services.
  • Holy Saturday / Easter Vigil – a time of waiting and the vigil service that celebrates the resurrection, leading into Easter Sunday.

Rituals and practices

Holy Week combines liturgical rites, devotional practices and public ceremonies. Common elements include processions, readings of the Passion narratives, the Stations of the Cross, Tenebrae services, special musical settings of the Passion, and changes in church decoration and vestment colors. Fasting, confession and intensified prayer are emphasized in many communities. The Easter Vigil often includes the blessing of the paschal candle and reception of new members into the church.

History and development

Roots of Holy Week extend into the earliest Christian centuries as communities commemorated the death and resurrection of Jesus. Over time liturgies and rituals developed—especially during the Byzantine and medieval Western periods—forming the sequence of commemorations familiar today. Different branches of Christianity adapted Holy Week rites according to theology and local custom, producing observable variety between Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant practices.

Significance and variations

For believers Holy Week is a concentrated season of remembrance, repentance and hope, bridging sorrow and joyful renewal. Its cultural impact includes sacred music (Passion settings by composers), dramatic reenactments, pilgrimage to holy sites, and public holidays in many countries. Dates vary with the methods used to calculate Easter; this can lead to differing observance weeks among Christian communions. Despite such differences, the week remains a central focus of Christian worship worldwide.